Firstshop Avis 10

I have bought printer cartridges from Firstshop on multiple occasions in the past.

I recently bought HP Cartridges from them, and they delivered the incorrect ones.

It is now an extreme hassle to sort out the collection of the incorrect ones and delivery of the correct ones.

I will never buy any products from them again and I recommend all the consumers in South Africa do the same.

My first few purchases were fine. The last purchase i spoke to a sales person for 12 mins to ensure what i wanted was what they were going to supply me. However when i received the printer the product was not what i discussed. I tried to return the product and they said it was scratched (Which i have photo evidence that it wasn't) and they refused to accept fault.

I stay in a slightly outlying area and was desperate to get a replacement laptop to me via the quickest means possible, no expense spared, even if it meant collecting in a nearby main centre. While the FirstShop call centre/customer care agent was unfailing helpful, their operations/logistics department left much to be desired. Within a nine-hour timeframe, they still couldn't tell me whether they'd be able to get my laptop to me within 48 hours, and it wasn't a cheap laptop either. I eventually cancelled the order and reordered the same laptop from Takealot, where it was a few thousand rands more expensive but at least I knew I'd get it within the promised delivery time.

Poor delivery service that you pay for.
I wish to share my experience regarding a recent order with Firstshop. I requested a specific courier for delivery to my location, as they provide direct service to my town and would have resulted in a two-day earlier delivery. This request was made via email to their support address.

I received a response from Firstshop, stating the order was 'awaiting collection', which I interpreted as confirmation that my request would be honored. However, the subsequent waybill indicated a different courier service was used. This resulted in a two-day delay in receiving my order of laptops, valued at over R30,000.

The items were held in the courier's warehouse for a full day before shipment. This delay negatively impacted my ability to conduct a client presentation, resulting in a financial loss.

While I understand businesses have standard shipping procedures, I am disappointed that my specific request, which would have significantly improved delivery time, was not accommodated. I believe clearer communication and flexibility in shipping options would enhance customer satisfaction. I am sharing this experience to provide a factual account of my interaction with Firstshop's shipping process.

STAY AWAY FROM THIS SHOP. I BOUGHT A MICROSOFT 365 PRODUCT KEY FROM THEM. THEY SOLD ME ONE THAT DOES NOT WORK AND THEY COULD NOT HELP ME.

In Dec 2024 purchased what I thought was a decent looking keyboard - however after receiving and testing the keyboard - I discovered it was very noisy and quite poorly manufactured. The day after I received the keyboard I decided to return it.

After numerous attempts to log a return (First Shops online return system wasn't working at the time and apparently still isn't) I emailed First Shop and gave them all my details and told them I was unable to log a return via their site. And that I was unhappy with the quality of the keyboard and wished to return it for a refund. I had all the original undamaged packaging and the keyboard itself was untouched other than from a few test keystrokes.

I was told they would have to consider my request for a return and let me know if they would accept it! Little did I know that their response was a hint of what was to come.

Around a week went by and after numerous delays (at times they seemed deliberate) - I was told that there would be a minimum of a R200 collection fee in order to process the return. After a further two weeks during which no progress was made - First Shop closed for Christmas.

Around a week ago (early Jan 2025) I was told that the collection had finally been organised. What followed were two attempts by the couriers (The Courier guy) to collect the parcel - and each time they had apparently been given the wrong address. Another day went by and they finally arrived at my house and collected the keyboard in its undamaged original packaging and box - and in as perfect a condition as it had arrived.

Three days later, and I have now been asked for a letter from my bank to validate my bank account?! This is the same bank account First Shop have already received two payments from!

It is now clear that these delays are not as a result of ineptitude - First Shop are being deliberately obstructive and making it as difficult and as possible for me to be refunded for the item I purchased. One has to wonder why?!

I strongly suggest avoiding this company at all costs - rather shop with Takealot or Wootware or Loot - all of which are excellent and trustworthy, have a wide range of products at competitive prices and all have excellent returns policies. I have dealt with all of them for as long as they have been in business. I personally will never deal with FirstShop ever again.

This shop is nothing but a scam. They randomly target victims, and after placing an order for more than 40K and paying the same day via EFT, my order was not delivered. Now, after more than 4 weeks and daily emails, there has been no refund and no action taken. We will pursue legal action, but be aware that you never know who they will scam next.

Ordered a NVR. Their web site showed almost identical models with the exception of an included 8 port POE switch at the same price. It seemed strange that the communication on the order/payment did not arrive promptly. Unit without POE shipped and informed them the same day of delivery as to this. Then noticed the unit including the 8 port POE Switch had been increased in price. Would have accepted being told its a mistake however, they deny the change. Three weeks later, Happy was still flip flopping around. Told me to send a photo of the unit, then the next say told me they cant take anything back that has been opened. Informed immediately that the product supplied is not fit for purpose and a month later their "Customer Services Manager" (Odelia) is also flip flopping around trying to find excuses not to refund. I am told in the same telephone call, they will credit to which I informed them that a credit is unacceptable ... I elect for a refund if they are not going to supply the correct product at the price displayed ... was then told "But I ment a refund" followed less than 5 mintues later (in the same call) by "Cannot refund". Imho, this is a bad reflection of First Distribution & First Tech. No honour or ethic lost here and requests for a complaint reference number (as defined by the ombudsman) go ignored. Never, Never again. Three problematic orders in a row ... deleted from my supplier database FOREVER.

The system states a delivery date, but it's an estimate. When you try call to check on the order nobody answers the phone.
When you email you get an automated response, they cant tell you when your order will be delivered.
I will never use them again.

Firstshop.co.za is giving people hope to get their orders delivered before 25 December 2021 by incorrectly stating on their site that orders can still be placed but orders placed on 21 December 2021 or thereafter will only be delivered after the 4 January 2022. Their office will also apparently be closed from 23 December 2021 until 3 January 2022. So disappointed, since at the time that I read that statement, I went ahead anyway to order an in stock item from them on 17 December 2021 only to find out today (20 December 2021) that they have now closed their offices and they have an ETA for my order to be delivered to their local warehouse only on 12 January 2022. The item page on the site, said it was in stock when I ordered on 17 December 2021. Having also reached out to them via email immediately to indicate that I would be on holiday during that time in January, they have not responded and have now closed their offices and I might only get a response after 3 January 2022. Hopefully they will honour my request to have the item delivered only after I am back from holiday.

Anyway, will update this post again if they can actually have my order delivered around that time and in a good condition.

Update: They have now managed to deliver my order today (23 December 2021) and I am so happy they chose to do the right thing. Have learned my lesson though. Will only use them when absolutely out of any other options bcs miscommunication in any company is bad for business.